Hepatitis A Outbreak Update 157 Confirmed Hepatitis A Cases in Nashville Since December 2017

12/6/2018

Metro Public Health Department (MPHD) officials have confirmed 157 cases of hepatitis A have been reported in Nashville since December 2017. The case count is up four cases from two weeks ago. Work continues to reach three at-risk groups. Those at greatest risk of exposure to hepatitis A include:

People who use drugs (not just injection drug use)

Men who have sexual contact with men

Individuals experiencing homelessness

The Health Department continues to lead a hepatitis A vaccine campaign, along with community partners and the Tennessee Department of Health. The Health Department and our community partners have vaccinated more than 8,300 people in Nashville since the outbreak was announced in late May. The total vaccinated does not include vaccine given by private providers.

Vaccination initiatives will continue in an effort to end the outbreak, including working with organizations that serve the homeless, reaching out to the LGBTQ community, working with the Davidson County Sherriff’s Office to vaccinate DCSO inmates, and efforts to reach those who use drugs.

Upcoming Vaccination Outreach includes:

12/13 Room in the Inn 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

12/20 Rescue Mission (Men’s campus) 3:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m.

12/27 Room in the Inn 9:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m.

Large hepatitis A outbreaks have occurred since early 2017 in several states, including ongoing outbreaks in California, Utah, Kentucky, Indiana and West Virginia, spreading from person to person primarily among people who are homeless and people who are drug users.

MPHD has worked with TDH and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on testing specimens collected from those confirmed as having hepatitis A. CDC test results from samples in Nashville match the strain of hepatitis A found in the recent outbreaks around the country.

MPHD continues to offer free hepatitis A vaccine at all three of its Health Department Centers to the three risk groups. MPHD continues to receive additional doses of hepatitis A vaccine from TDH and more vaccine is available as needed.

Walk-ins are welcome. Appointments can be made with Neighborhood Health by calling 615-227-3000.

The hepatitis A vaccine can also be found at area health care providers in Nashville for those with insurance. Many insurance plans cover the costs of hepatitis A vaccine without a deductible or co-pay, if administered by an in-network health care provider.

MPHD has been sending Health Alerts to health care providers in Nashville about the current hepatitis A outbreak, a reminder about the symptoms, and how they should report cases to MPHD.

MPHD has initiated a community awareness campaign focusing on outbreak updates and steps to follow to prevent exposure to hepatitis A. Updates and prevention messaging, such as the importance of hand washing and the use of a vaccine to protect against the virus for those at risk, can be found at www.health.nashville.gov.

Hepatitis A is a vaccine-preventable liver disease caused by the hepatitis A virus. Common symptoms include: fever, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dark urine, jaundice (yellowing of eyes and skin), and clay-colored stools. The disease can be severe in some people, possibly requiring hospitalization. Most recover completely within a few weeks. Hepatitis A usually spreads when a person unknowingly ingests the virus from objects, food, or drinks contaminated by small, undetected amounts of stool from an infected person. Hepatitis A can also spread from close personal contact with an infected person such as through sex or caring for someone who is ill. The best way to prevent hepatitis A is through vaccination.